On an international trip, a truck may cross several countries with different tyre and snow-chain rules in a single day. Equipment that is legal at departure may not be sufficient at the destination.
Waiting for the first snow is too late. Tyres, tread depth, chains and their storage should be checked on every vehicle as part of the autumn inspection.
Dispatchers also need to know the restrictions on mountain routes. A diversion or delay caused by missing equipment costs more than preparing the vehicle in advance.
Model scenario: a Bratislava–Turin run crosses Austria and a mountain approach in Italy. Budgeting €120 for the correct chains and a 20-minute equipment check is modest compared with a €600 recovery call and a missed delivery slot.
Official source: European Commission — Road safety
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